Department of Sociological Studies

General information

As one of the top ten international social science research departments in the UK, we have a distinguished history of significant contributions to theory, policy and practice. We draw upon sociology and other related disciplines in order to gain a better understanding of different societies, different systems of government, and the complicated and pressing business of making the world a better place to live.

In short, our research and teaching confront some of the most challenging social issues in the world today, and we invite our students to join us in this. Among the questions we are currently researching, and which you will have the opportunity to address in class, are:

- What is ‘active aging’ and how can it be supported?
- Is modern Britain turning into a 'Big Brother' surveillance state?
- Why are benefit claimants stigmatised as ‘skivers’ when private companies receive much more from the state than the poor?
- If ‘evil’ is a socially constructed concept, where is the scope for personal morality?
- Who has fared worse in the global economic crisis?
- How should fans remember the dead at sporting venues?
- What ways of working with families with complex difficulties are most likely to result in positive change?
- How does the value of a human life compare with the price of a luxury car?
- Which delivers the best outcomes, private health care or public health care?
- Why do some popular protests fail and other, more unlikely, ones succeed?
- How do international organisations influence national social policy?
- How can social theory contribute to social change?
- Who pays the price of tougher migration policies?
- What impact do young people's attitudes towards saving have on their finances in later life?